The effect of zonisamide on antipsychotic-associated weight gain in patients with
schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Author(s): Ghanizadeh A(1), Nikseresht MS, Sahraian A.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Shiraz University of
Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shiraz, Iran. ghanizad@sina.tums.ac.ir
Publication date & source: 2013, Schizophr Res. , 147(1):110-5
BACKGROUND: Many patients with schizophrenia suffer from metabolic symptoms and
weight gain in which predispose them to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular
problems. This trial examines the efficacy and safety of zonisamide on weight and
body mass index in patients with schizophrenia being administered with atypical
antipsychotics.
METHOD: In this 10-week, double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical
trial, forty one patients with schizophrenia diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR
criteria who were taking a stable dose of atypical antipsychotic are allocated
into one of the two groups of zonisamide or placebo group. Weight, body mass
index, waist circumference, and adverse effects were assessed.
RESULTS: The two groups were not statistically different regarding baseline
characteristics on age, gender, education, diagnosis, weight, body mass index,
daily cigarette smoking, and the duration of illness. After 10 weeks, the
patients in the placebo group had significantly gained weight, while the patients
in the zonisamide group lost weight (mean=1.9, SD=2.2 versus mean=-1.1 kg,
SD=1.4). The changes of body mass index in the two groups were significantly
different. Body mass index decreased in the zonisamide group (mean=-0.3, SD=0.4)
while it increased in the placebo group (mean=2.2, SD=6.9). There was a
significance difference between the two groups regarding waist circumference at
the end of trial (P<0.0001), too. The waist increased in the placebo group while
it decreased in the zonisamide group (mean=1.1, SD=1.7 versus mean=-0.7, SD=1.2,
respectively), as well. The frequencies of adverse effects were not significantly
different between the two groups and zonisamide was tolerated well.
CONCLUSION: Zonisamide as an adjuvant treatment is tolerated well and markedly
affect on the weight loss of patients with schizophrenia being treated with
atypical antipsychotics.
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